The commission’s deadline for comments had been Tuesday, but it extended that until Friday after the public response slowed the FCC’s website to a crawl. A second, 60-day reply comment period will begin after that. The FCC is expected to update its proposal and take a final vote later this year.

As it stands, the plan, written by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, would ban broadband providers from blocking or slowing down specific web sites. It would, however, allow content companies to cut deals for preferential treatment, like faster download speeds or easier access to consumers. Mr. Wheeler says he intends to scrutinize the deals closely, and prevent any arrangements that unfairly disadvantage companies that don’t pay.

Advocates of pure net neutrality—a ban on all content deals—say his proposal doesn’t go far enough, and they have pushed for the FCC to reclassify broadband as a utility under communications law, which would subject it to far greater regulation.

But net neutrality, a public policy issue that’s been debated in Washington for more than a decade, inspires a lot of passion, and it’s an issue with more than two sides. Judging from a random sampling of the comments, however, they appear to fall within one of five themes, as follows:

1. Ban Any Fast Lanes on Broadband

These are the “net neutrality” purists – those who don’t believe broadband providers should be allowed to cut deals with content companies for preferential treatment like faster speeds.

“If the proposed rules were in place when Etsy was founded, we would never have achieved the success we have today. Etsy and other startups will suffer if the FCC allows some companies to negotiate priority or exclusive access to consumers.” - Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson (PDF)

“When Vimeo began as a project by a few employees at a startup ten years ago, it did not have to worry about negotiating with broadband providers or paying them arbitrary tolls on video uploads and plays. This freedom has allowed Vimeo to permit its users to upload videos without length restrictions; to become the first video sharing platform to allow users to upload full HD videos…Network neutrality has helped make each of these innovations possible.” - online video sharing service Vimeo LLC (PDF)

“We have grave concerns about your proposed rules and the two-­tiered Internet that a paid prioritization model would create. We fear the chilling effect these rules would have on innovation, the negative impact they would have on our culture, and the real harm they would do to companies like ours.” - Kickstarter CEO Yancey Strickler (PDF)

2. Make Broadband a Utility

In this 2012 photo, a lineman for Verizon shields himself from the rain as he works on a phone line in West Hazleton, Pa.

Associated Press

This is a legal argument from net neutrality backers worried about the FCC’s rules getting thrown out in court again. They argue the FCC should reclassify broadband as a common carrier, like the old landline phone network. Broadband providers say reclassification would kill investment in broadband and stifle future innovation.

“Broadband is a more advanced technology than phone service, but in the 21st century it performs the same essential function. Consumers and businesses cannot live without this vital connection to each other and to the world around them. Accordingly, it would be appropriate for the FCC to reclassify broadband to reflect the vital role the Internet plays in carrying our most important information and our greatest ideas.” - Senators Al Franken (D., Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D., Oreg.), Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.), Ben Cardin (D., Md.), Kristen Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) and Corey Booker (D., N.J.)

“The Commission must adopt a clear set of rules for net neutrality in order to achieve meaningful protections. We believe the best way to do this is to reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service, ban paid prioritization deals, and apply net neutrality protections to wireless broadband services.” - Consumers Union

“It is long since time to recognize that the internet has become another utility, and regulate it as such – rather than opening an important speech venue to total control by a monopoly that has already amassed too much power and influence.” – Maya Cook, Lindenwold, N.J. (Text)

3. Apply Net Neutrality to Wired and Wireless Networks

The Netflix app demonstrated on an Apple iPhone.

Bloomberg News

This is an argument that wireless broadband networks that connect smartphones and tablets should be covered by the new net neutrality rules. The FCC’s original net neutrality rules in 2010 exempted wireless networks, because they needed longer to develop. Critics note unlike wired broadband, wireless bandwidth is constrained by the availability of spectrum, making congestion a much bigger issue.

“It is time for the Commission to apply the same non-discrimination, no-blocking and robust transparency rules to the wireline and wireless platforms.” - The Internet Association, which represents Google, Facebook, Yahoo, and Twitter among other major Web companies. (PDF)

“With 650,000 submissions, I hope that we, the American people, have made our voices heard regarding the protection of Net Neutrality. I truly hope that a free, open internet ecosystem where internet service providers cannot discriminate or prioritize content. I strongly encourage the FCC to reclassify both broadband and mobile internet access as Title II common carriers.” – Joseph Letourneau, Baltimore (PDF)

4. Government Should Leave the Internet Alone

The east front of the Capitol building stands in Washington

Bloomberg News

Conservatives and many industry representatives argue the Internet has flourished precisely because it isn’t heavily regulated, and that net neutrality rules are unnecessary.

“Today, there is no evidence of marketplace failure or demonstrable consumer harm in the Internet ecosystem, including the Internet service provider market segment. Instead, there is competition among Internet service providers employing various technological platforms. And investment in network facilities is strong, and innovative business models are thriving. If new net neutrality mandates are adopted, there is a substantial risk that this new regulatory action will disrupt, or at least inhibit, the innovation and investment that has characterized the Internet ecosystem for the past decade or so. This, in turn, and most significantly, will harm consumer welfare.” – Randolph May, Free State Foundation

“Regulating broadband under Title II would harm consumers and the U.S. economy. Reversing more than a decade’s worth of decisions and policy would plunge the industry into years of litigation and cause extreme regulatory uncertainty. By engaging in such a regulatory overreach, the Commission would deter private-sector investment in broadband technology, harm innovation, and slow economic development and job creation. This action could have a wide-ranging impact on the entire Internet ecosystem, not just on broadband service providers.” - U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

5. Wheeler’s Plan Is a Winner

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler

REUTERS

This is a rare argument in support for Mr. Wheeler’s attempt to split the difference between the various camps, and implement net neutrality rules without reclassifying broadband or banning all paid content deals.

“Fast lanes are more common and more beneficial than the Commission’s critics realize. Given the less-than-factual nature of the criticism these fast lanes deliver, they seem to be serving First Amendment rights quite effectively. If in fact the FCC were to enact a wholesale ban on “fast lanes” and “paid prioritization”, the proponents of such a rule would be among the first parties affected; if history is a guide, at that point they might well accuse the FCC of attempting to silence them.” – Richard Bennett, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

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Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.